HyperCourseware for interactive instruction in the electronic classroom

An electronic classroom with computer workstations and multimedia offers tremendous potential for interactive instruction. To support such instruction, HyperCourseware was developed as an environment and authoring system that recreates on a computer network familiar objects of instruction, such as the syllabus, lecture notes, class rolls, seating charts, exams, and grade lists. In addition, it provides interactive and collaborative tools for group discussion, anonymous feedback, student polling, and shared collaborative workspaces. Applications in statistics and cognitive psychology are discussed along with the specific advantages due to hypermedia links, structure of course materials, integration of parts, and classroom interactivity. Student and faculty evaluations have supported the positive educational benefits of both the electronic classroom and HyperCourseware in general.